1,000-year-old Sizewell silver coin hoard staying in its Suffolk home

Oxford Cotswold Archaeology carried out excavation works near the site of the future nuclear power station, and discovered the lead and cloth package containing the mint condition coins.

The donation to SCCAS from Sizewell C, means that the find will be curated for posterity in its home county and will be made available to researchers of all levels.

Local and national museums can also apply for a short-term loan, so that as many people as possible can see it in the future.

The hoard features coins minted between 1036 and 1044 during the reigns of Harold I, Edward the Confessor, and the lesser known Harthacnut. Though a large proportion of the coins were minted in London, many coins were struck at other locations, including Thetford, Norwich, Ipswich, Lincoln and Stamford.

Affectionately known as ‘the pasty’ - for its visual likeness to a Cornish pasty - it is speculated that it was the savings pot of a local figure, who buried it as a precaution in the face of the social and political upheaval of the 11th century.

Councillor Debbie Richards, Suffolk County Council’s deputy cabinet member for Archaeology and Landscape Partnerships, said:

“We are thrilled that Sizewell C is kindly donating this hoard, along with the rest of the excavated archive from the site, to the county council’s archaeological archive.

“Our officers monitor all archaeological projects in the county to ensure excavation is carried out to a high standard. Our Finds recording team also administers all Treasure finds from the county, including this exquisite silver coin hoard.”

Damian Leydon, Site Delivery Director at Sizewell C, said:

“It is important for us that the Sizewell C project respects the history that lies underneath the site. And it is equally important that we find a way to keep the treasures and discoveries in their Suffolk home for people to see.

“By working with Suffolk County Council’s Archaeological Service, and donating these finds to them, this is the best possible way to ensure their conservation and make them accessible to researchers and the public.”

The silver coin hoard is currently undergoing further conservation and research by specialists.

You can learn more about the archaeology discovered during Sizewell C construction at a free open day on Saturday 25 October 2025 at the Riverside Centre in Stratford St Andrew, which will highlight finds from the Two Village Bypass.

There is also a series of webinars being delivered by Oxford Cotswold Archaeology over the autumn and winter, to present findings from the ongoing excavations.

Details on all these events can be found at www.sizewellc.com

Read more about the original discovery of the hoard.